OXNARD — Fifteen-year-old Anthony Delgadillo Salas has kickstarted a $1 million GoFundMe campaign to help save the Oxnard Performing Arts Center (The PACC). The Oxnard High School student is a volunteer at the venue.
“My experience at The PACC started out as a performer with my school as part of a dance troupe. For almost two-years now, I’ve been volunteering and have learned so much about running the box office, event coordinating and marketing, and even managing backstage. I could just as easily spend my extra time on the couch scrolling through my social media feeds and watching TV, but I prefer to volunteer and learn here at The PACC,” says Anthony.
In May 2019, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation, the nonprofit that runs the facility, learned of the City’s plans to close The PACC by July 1, 2019 as a way to reconcile a projected $9.2 million shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year. In a budget meeting on Wednesday, June 5, the City Council agreed to keep The PACC open thru December 31, 2019. The extension helps honor 150+ pre-booked events and gives the nonprofit an opportunity to show the city that it can streamline its efforts, fundraise and strategically plan for a sustainable working model.
“The public outcry has been jaw-dropping, and Anthony in particular has really stepped up,” comments Carolyn Merino Mullin, Event Coordinator for The PACC. “He’s had some incredible experiences here, like helping us backstage with the Los Angeles Azules concert. That’s a really special experience for a kid his age. He knows how much heart and soul The PACC staff put into all of our events and wants to see the legacy endure for future generations.”
Since its opening in 1968, The PACC has hosted thousands of performances reaching more than 3 million people. Outstanding Broadway musicals, prominent guest speakers, and musical acts and plays have all graced the center’s stage, such as: Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, KISS, CATS (the broadway musical), Kevin Hart, Los Tigres del Norte, Jeff Dunham, and Louis CK.
“If we close this down, we’re ending something that has to do with everyone’s culture. We’re all somewhat connected to this place. If this place closes down, it’s just going to be disconnecting something that we love. For example, escaping the day and having a fun evening at Kickback at The PACC. That might not happen again if The PACC shuts down” pleads Anthony.
Donations can be made at:
https://www.gofundme.com/save-the-oxnard-performing-arts-center